Air supply device of shoes with retractable wheels

ABSTRACT

An air supply device of a wheel-mounted shoe which can supply ambient air into the interior of the shoe by continuously suck the ambient air in by use of the rotating force of the frictional roller interposed between adjacent ones of the wheels rotatably mounted to the bracket of the outer sole of the shoe, irrespective of the rotating direction of the wheels. Accordingly, the air supply device eliminates uncomfortableness caused by sweat and odor generated from the user in the interior of the shoe, to maintain the interior of the shoe in a pleasant state, thereby helping the user&#39;s foot health.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shoe with wheels. More particularly,the present invention relates to an air supply device of a shoe withwheels which forcibly sucks ambient air, using rotating forces of thewheels and a frictional roller mounted to an outer sole of the shoe, tosupply the sucked air into the interior of the shoe, thereby beingcapable of removing sweat and odor generated from the user in theinterior of the shoe, and thus, maintaining the interior of the shoe ina pleasant state, thereby helping the user's foot health.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the configuration of a generalin-line skate. The in-line skate shown in FIG. 1 is an exercisemechanism, which is also called a “roller blade”. As shown in FIG. 1,the in-line skate includes a shoe 10, a plurality of wheels 12 mountedto a bracket 11 fixed to the lower surface of an outer sole of the shoe10 such that each wheel 12 is rotatable about a shaft 13, and a brake 14mounted to a rear end of the bracket 11. In accordance with thisconfiguration, the user who wears the in-line skate can travel on theroad at high speed.

Also, various structures modified from such an in-line skate or rollerblade have been developed. For example, there is a wheel-mounted shoe inwhich a wheel is mounted to a rear portion of an outer sole of the shoeto allow the user to not only perform walking, but also to performmovement, using the wheel. Such a wheel-mounted shoe is called a “Heelysshoe”. Also, there is a functional shoe in which a wheel is retractablymounted to an outer sole of the shoe so that the shoe has both thegeneral shoe function and the roller blade function.

As an example of inventions to improve the above-mentioned roller blade,Korean Utility Model No. 20-0308234 discloses a structure in which adamper is provided at each wheel to reduce impact generated when thewheel comes into contact with the ground. Korean Utility Model No.20-0283620 discloses a roller blade having a structure to providecushion to the roller blade and to provide stability. Also, KoreanUtility Model No. 20-0266726 discloses a roller blade in which a lightemitting element is mounted to allow the user to have a frontalvisibility at night or in dark places.

Also, there are inventions relating to shoes having retractable wheels.For example, Korean Utility Model No. 20-0225828 discloses a structurein which rollers are mounted to a bracket fixed to the outer sole of ashoe such that the rollers are received in recesses formed at front andrear portions of the outer sole and are extendable from the recesses,respectively. Korean Utility Model No. 20-0301227 discloses a functionalshoe in which a recess is formed at the outer sole of the shoe to carrya roller device having a wheel assembly. In the latter case, the wheelassembly is selectively protruded from the recess in accordance withoperation of a handle so that the shoe can selectively perform thegeneral shoe function and the roller blade function.

In most shoe structures in which a roller blade is incorporated, asmentioned above, natural circulation of air in the shoe is carried outthrough air ventilation ports formed at side surfaces or the uppersurface of the shoe. For this reason, the conventional shoe structurescannot obtain an effective air circulation effect, so that sweat andodor generated from the user during exercise cannot be effectivelydischarged from the shoe. As a result, the user may feel uncomfortable.Furthermore, when the shoe is used for a prolonged period of time, itmay injure the user's foot.

In order to solve these problems, various proposals have been made. Forexample, Korean Utility Model No. 20-0320268 discloses a roller blade inwhich ambient air is forcibly supplied into the interior of a shoethrough a blower using the rotating force of wheels of the roller blade.Also, Korean Utility Model No. 20-0314254 discloses a structure in whichair ventilation ports are formed at a chassis mounted to the outer soleof a shoe to supply air into the interior of the shoe.

In the former air ventilation structure, however, there is a difficultyin molding and assembling processes because a separate blower is mountedto the bracket of the roller blade, and the transmission of the rotatingforce is achieved through connecting means such as a belt, chain, orgears mounted to the shafts of the wheels. Furthermore, an increase inmanufacturing costs occurs because a number of elements must be used.

In the latter air ventilation structure, it is possible to reduce themanufacturing costs because the structure is relatively simple, ascompared to the former case. However, there is a degradation in airsupply effect because ambient air is naturally circulated into theinterior of the shoe through the air ventilation ports formed at thechassis.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentionedproblems, and it is an object to provide an air supply device of a shoewith wheels which includes a frictional roller mounted to an outer soleof the shoe between adjacent ones of the wheels, air sucking meansprovided at opposite ends of a shaft extending laterally through thefrictional roller to continuously supply ambient air into the interiorof the shoe during rotation of the wheels, irrespective of the rotationdirection of the wheels, so that the air supply device can eliminateuncomfortableness caused by sweat and odor generated from the user inthe interior of the shoe, to maintain the interior of the shoe in apleasant state, thereby helping the user's foot health.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides an airsupply device of a wheel-mounted shoe comprising: a fixed plate mountedto a lower surface of a top plate portion of a bracket fixed to an outersole of the wheel-mounted shoe by fixing members; a housing coupled tothe fixed plate such that the housing is vertically movable while beingelastically supported by an elastic member; a frictional rollerrotatably coupled to the housing by a shaft such that the frictionalroller is in close contact with a circumferential surface of at leastone of wheels rotatably mounted to the bracket; air sucking means tosuck ambient air in when the frictional roller rotates; and airventilation means to supply the air sucked in by the air sucking meansinto the interior of the shoe.

The fixed plate may have a guide member formed at a lower surface of thefixed plate. The guide member may have a pair of legs defining a recesstherein so that the guide member is coupled with the housing. The legsof the guide member may be provided with stoppers formed at respectivelower ends of the legs to prevent the housing coupled to the guidemember from being separated from the guide member.

A spring may be interposed between the fixed plate and the housing. Thehousing may have a flange formed at a peripheral edge of an upper end ofthe housing to prevent the housing from being separated from the guidemember in a state of being coupled with the guide member, and a springreceiving recess formed at an upper portion of the housing to receivethe spring. The housing may have a roller receiving hole centrallyformed at a lower portion of the housing to receive the frictionalroller such that the frictional roller is fitted around the shaft in theroller receiving hole.

The air sucking means may comprise: two sets of blades mounted toopposite ends of the shaft, respectively; casings provided at the lowerportion of the housing to circumferentially surround respective sets ofthe blades; and caps fitted around respective outer ends of the casings.An air outlet may be formed at a portion of a circumferential wall ofeach casing to discharge air sucked into the casing in accordance withrotation of the blades received in the casing. An air inlet may beformed at a central portion of each cap to allow ambient air to besucked into the interior of an associated one of the casings inaccordance with the rotation of the blades received in the associatedcasing. The sets of the blades may be mounted to respective ends of theshaft such that the blade sets rotate in opposite directions,respectively.

The air ventilation means may comprise: first connecting membersrespectively connected to the air outlets of the casings provided at thelower portion of the housing; air tubes respectively connected to thefirst connecting members; a second connecting member connected to theair tubes to unify air flows respectively discharged from the air tubes;and an air supply tube connected to the second connecting member tocommunicate the second connecting member and the interior of the shoe,and thus, to supply the air discharged from the second connecting memberinto the interior of the shoe. Each of the first connecting members mayhave a cylindrical tube structure in which a central portion of thestructure has a diameter smaller than opposite ends of the structure.The second connecting member may include branched tubes forming oneportion of the second connecting member to be connected with the airtubes, respectively, and a unified tube forming the other portion of thesecond connecting member to unify air flows respectively discharged fromthe air tubes and then to discharge the unified air into the air supplytube.

A cut-off valve may be mounted in the second connecting member such thatthe cut-off valve is hingable about a hinge to selectively open one ofthe branched tubes while closing the other branched tube. The hingingoperation of the cut-off valve about the hinge may be achieved by airdischarged from one of the air tubes. A stopper may be provided at eachbranched tube to limit a hinging angle of the cut-off valve.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an airsupply device of a wheel-mounted shoe comprising: a fixed plate mountedto a lower surface of a top plate portion of a bracket fixed to an outersole of the wheel-mounted shoe by fixing members, and provided with apair of guide rods respectively mounted with springs; a moving plateelastically mounted to the fixed plate in a state of being fitted aroundthe guide rods such that the moving plate is vertically movable, themoving plate being provided with a freely-rotatable hollow shaft mountedto a lower portion of the moving plate; a frictional roller fixedlymounted on the shaft such that the frictional roller is in close contactwith a circumferential surface of at least one of wheels rotatablymounted to the bracket; air sucking means to suck ambient air in whenthe frictional roller rotates; and air ventilation means to supply theair sucked in by the air sucking means into the interior of the shoethrough the shaft.

The air sucking means may comprise a casing formed at a portion of acircumferential surface of the shaft positioned in a recess formed atthe frictional roller, and provided with an air inlet. Alternatively,the air sucking means may comprise a casing formed at one end of theshaft, and provided with an air inlet.

The air ventilation means may comprise: a through hole formed at theshaft to communicate with the air sucking means; an air passage definedin the shaft to communicate with the air sucking means via the throughhole; a box-shaped connector provided at one end of the shaft, andconnected with the air passage at one side wall of the connector; and anelongated tube connected to a top wall of the connector while extendingto the interior of the shoe through the outer sole of the shoe tosupply, into the interior of the shoe, air introduced into theconnector.

Seal members may be fitted around an end of the shaft and an end of theelongated tube connected with the connector, while being retained bysupport plates mounted to the connector, respectively, to preventleakage of air.

A cut-off valve may be mounted between the connector and the elongatedtube to forcibly cut off flow of air.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The present invention provides an effect of eliminatinguncomfortableness caused by sweat and odor generated from the user inthe interior of the shoe, to maintain the interior of the shoe in apleasant state, thereby helping the user's foot health by mounting thefrictional roller to the outer sole of the shoe between adjacent ones ofthe wheels, and providing the air sucking means at opposite ends of theshaft extending laterally through the frictional roller to continuouslysupply ambient air into the interior of the shoe during rotation of thewheels, irrespective of the rotation direction of the wheels.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the configuration of a generalin-line skate;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an air supply device of a shoewith wheels in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional and side views of the air supply deviceshown in FIG. 2, respectively;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which air is suckedby air sucking means according to the illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an air flow caused by the airsucking means according to the illustrated embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views showing the inner structure of asecond connecting member;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic views showing functional relation between africtional roller and wheels;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an air supply device accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views illustrating functional relationbetween a frictional roller and a connecting member shown in FIG. 11,respectively;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view showing a connecting structure forthe connector, shaft and elongated tube shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an air supply device accordingto another embodiment of the present invention, which includes a hollowshaft, and a frictional roller and a casing mounted on the hollow shaftwhich are modified versions of those of FIG. 11.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to the annexed drawings. In the followingdescription of the present invention, a detailed description of knownfunctions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when itmay make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an air supply device of a shoewith wheels in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

As show in FIG. 2, the wheel-mounted shoe 10, in which the air supplydevice according to the illustrated embodiment of the present inventionis provided, includes a bracket 11 attached to an outer sole of the shoe10, a plurality of wheels 12 rotatably fitted around shafts 13 mountedto the bracket 11 in a longitudinally-aligned state, respectively, and abrake 14 mounted to a rear end of the bracket 11. The air supply device,which is adapted to supply air into the interior of the shoe, isinterposed between adjacent ones of the wheels 12. The air supply devicecommunicates with the interior of the shoe 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the air supply device, which is adapted to supplyair into the interior of the wheel-mounted shoe 10 having theabove-described configuration, includes: a fixed plate 15 mounted to thelower surface of a top plate portion of the bracket 11 by means offixing members 15 a; a housing 20 coupled to the fixed plate 15 suchthat the housing 20 is vertically movable while being elasticallysupported by an elastic member 23; a frictional roller 32 rotatablycoupled to the housing 20 by a shaft 29 such that the frictional roller32 is in close contact with the circumferential surfaces of theassociated wheels 12; air sucking means to suck ambient air in when thefrictional roller 32 rotates; and air ventilation means to supply theair sucked in by the air sucking means into the interior of the shoe 10.

The configuration of the air supply device according to the illustratedembodiment of the present invention will be described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 2.

The fixed plate 15 has a flat plate shape, and is mounted to the lowersurface of the top plate portion of the bracket 11 fixed to the outersole of the shoe 10. In particular, a guide member 16 is formed at thelower surface of the fixed plate 15. The guide member 16 has a pair oflegs defining a recess therein so that the guide member 16 is coupledwith the housing 20. Stoppers 17 are formed at respective lower ends ofthe legs of the guide member 16 in order to prevent the housing 20coupled to the guide member 16 from being separated from the guidemember 16.

The housing 20 has an upper portion having a rectangular cross-sectionwhile having an upper end formed with a flange 21 at a peripheral edgethereof to prevent the housing 20 from being separated from the guidemember 16 in a state of being coupled with the guide member 16. Thehousing 20 also has a cylindrical lower portion to provide a pair ofcasings 25. A roller receiving hole 24 is formed at a central portion ofthe housing 20 between the casings 25 to receive the frictional roller32 such that the frictional roller 32 is fitted around the shaft 29 inthe roller receiving hole 24. Bearings 30 are mounted in the casings 25of the housing 20 such that the bearings 30 are fitted around oppositeends of the shaft 29, respectively, to allow the shaft 29 to rotatefreely. Blades 29 a are mounted to each end of the shaft 29. The blades29 a are received in the casings 25, respectively. As the elasticmember, a spring 23 is interposed between the fixed plate 15 and thehousing 20. The housing 20 is elastically supported by the spring 23 ina vertically-movable state. A spring receiving recess 22 is formed atthe upper portion of the housing 20 to receive the spring 23.

In particular, the frictional roller 32, which is received in the rollerreceiving hole 24 of the housing 20, is interposed between adjacent onesof the wheels 12 fitted around respective shafts 13 fixed to the bracket11. The frictional roller 32 is in close contact with thecircumferential surfaces of the associated wheels 12, so that thefrictional roller 32 receives the rotating force of the wheels 12, andthus, rotates in a certain direction.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional and side views of the air supply deviceshown in FIG. 2, respectively. FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating astate in which air is sucked by the air sucking means according to theillustrated embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematicview illustrating an air flow caused by the air sucking means accordingto the illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the air supply device includes the air sucking meansto suck ambient air in when the frictional roller 32 rotates, and theair ventilation means to supply the air sucked in by the air suckingmeans into the interior of the shoe 10. Referring to FIG. 3, the airsucking means is arranged at opposite lateral ends of the lower portionof the housing 20, that is, at opposite sides of the roller receivinghole 24, to suck ambient air in during rotation of the frictional roller32. The air sucking means comprises: two sets of blades 29 a mounted torespective ends of the shaft 29; the casings 25 provided at the lowerportion of the housing 20 to circumferentially surround respective setsof the blades 29 a; and caps 27 fitted around respective outer ends ofthe casings 25.

An air outlet 26 is formed at a portion of a circumferential wall ofeach casing 25 to discharge air sucked into the casing 25 in accordancewith rotation of the blades 29 a received in the casing 25. An air inlet28 is formed at a central portion of each cap 27 to allow ambient air tobe sucked into the interior of the associated casing 25 in accordancewith the rotation of the associated blades 29 a. The sets of the blades29 a are mounted to respective ends of the shaft 29 such that the bladesets rotate in opposite directions, respectively. Accordingly, the setsof the blades 29 a can continuously suck ambient air in, irrespective ofthe rotation direction of the wheels 12.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the air ventilation means comprises: firstconnecting members 34 respectively connected to the air outlets 26 ofthe casings 25 provided at the lower portion of the housing 20; airtubes 35 respectively connected to the first connecting members 34; asecond connecting member 36 connected to both the air tubes 35 to unifyair flows respectively discharged from the air tubes 35; and an airsupply tube 42 connected to the second connecting member 36 tocommunicate the second connecting member 36 and the interior of the shoe10 so as to supply the air discharged from the second connecting member36 into the interior of the shoe 10.

Each first connecting member 34 has a cylindrical tube structure inwhich the central portion has a diameter smaller than that of theopposite ends. The first connecting member 34 is connected between theair outlet 26 of the associated casing 25 and the associated air tube35.

The second connecting member 36 has a Y-shaped structure includingbranched tubes 37 forming one portion of the second connecting member 36to be connected with respective air tubes 35, and a unified tube 40forming the other portion of the second connecting member 36 to unifyair flows respectively discharged from the air tubes 35 and then todischarge the unified air into the air supply tube 42.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views showing the inner structure of thesecond connecting member 36. FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic views showingfunctional relation between the wheels and the frictional roller.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a cut-off valve 39 is mounted in the secondconnecting member 36 at a region where the branched tubes 37respectively connected with the air tubes 35 are connected to theunified tube 40. The cut-off valve 39 is hingable about a hinge 38 toselectively open one of the branched tubes 37 while closing the otherbranched tube 37. In the illustrated case, the hinging operation of thecut-off valve 39 about the hinge 38 is achieved by air discharged fromone of the air tubes 35. A stopper 37 a is provided at a downstream endof each branched tube 37 to limit the hinging angle of the cut-off valve39 and to completely seal the branched tube 37 in cooperation with thecut-off valve 39.

The air supply device, which has the above-described configuration inaccordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, cancontinuously supply ambient air into the interior of the shoe 10 duringforward or backward movement of the user in a state of wearing a rollerblade or in-line skate of FIG. 1, to which the air supply device isapplied, irrespective of the rotation direction of the wheels 12, asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Although the air supply device is interposed between selected adjacentones of the wheels 12 in the illustrated embodiment, the air supplydevice may be arranged over a selected one of the wheels 12 such thatthe frictional roller 32 is in close contact with the selected wheel 12.Of course, the same function as that of the above-described case isobtained in this case.

Now, operation of the air supply device according to the above-describedembodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the user moves in a state of wearing the wheel-mounted shoe 10,that is, the roller blade or in-line skate of FIG. 1, to which the airsupply device having the above-described configuration is applied, thewheels 12 mounted on respective shafts 13 of the bracket 11 are rotated.As a result, the frictional roller 32, which is elastically in closecontact with the associated wheels 12 between the associated wheels 12,is rotated together with the shaft 29 mounted in the roller receivinghole 24 of the housing 20.

When the shaft 29 rotates together with the frictional roller 32 inaccordance with the rotating force of the wheels 12, the blades 29 aarranged in the casings 25 of the housing 20 are rotated. In accordancewith the rotation of the blades 29 a, ambient air is sucked into theinterior of a selected one of the casings 25 through the air inlet 28formed at the central portion of the cap 27 fitted around the selectedcasing 25 because the blade sets of the casings 25 rotate in oppositedirections, respectively. Subsequently, the ambient air sucked into theselected casing 25 is discharged into the first connecting member 34connected to the air outlet 26 of the casing 25, and is then dischargedinto the unified tube 40 after passing through the second connectingmember 36 connected to the first connecting member 34, that is, thebranched pipe 37 connected to the first connecting member 34, as shownin FIG. 7. At this time, by the air passing through the branched pipe37, the cut-off valve 39 is hinged toward the other branched pipe 37, sothat the branched pipe 37, through which the air passes, is opened tocommunicate with the unified tube 40.

The air discharged into the unified tube 40 is then supplied into theinterior of the shoe 10 via the air supply tube 42 connected between theunified tube 40 and the interior of the shoe 10.

The cut-off valve 39, which is hingable about the hinge 38 in the secondconnecting member 36, is always maintained at a position opposite to thepath, along which the sucked air flows. In the above-described case, thecut-off valve 39 comes into close contact with the stopper 37 a of theother branched pipe 37, so that the air flowing from the opened branchedpipe 37 toward the unified tube 40 cannot be introduced into the otherbranched tube 37.

Since the sets of the blades 29 a respectively mounted in the casings 25of the housing 20 have opposite mounting directions, ambient air iscontinuously supplied into the interior of the shoe 10 via one of thecasings 25 and the air ventilation means, irrespective of the rotationdirection of the wheels 12.

That is, although the wheels 12 are rotated in a forward or reversedirection when the user moves in a state of wearing the roller blade orin-line skate, one of the parts of the air sucking means respectivelyprovided at opposite sides of the housing 20, operates in accordancewith the rotation direction of the wheels 12. Thus, ambient air can becontinuously supplied into the interior of the shoe 10.

[Mode for Invention]

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an air supply device accordingto another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 12 and 13 aresectional views illustrating functional relation between a frictionalroller and a connecting member shown in FIG. 11, respectively.

As show in FIG. 11, the air supply device according to the secondembodiment of the present invention includes: a fixed plate 115 mountedto the lower surface of the top plate portion of the bracket 11 fixed tothe outer sole of the wheel-mounted shoe 10 by means of fixing members115 a, and provided with a pair of guide rods 116 respectively mountedwith springs 118; a moving plate 120 elastically mounted to the fixedplate 115 in a state of being fitted around the guide rods 116 such thatthe moving plate 120 is vertically movable, the moving plate 120 beingprovided, at a lower portion thereof, with a freely-rotatable hollowshaft 121; a frictional roller 125 fixedly mounted on the shaft 121 suchthat the frictional roller 125 is in close contact with thecircumferential surface of a selected one of the wheels 12; air suckingmeans to suck ambient air in when the frictional roller 125 rotates; andair ventilation means to supply the air sucked in by the air suckingmeans into the interior of the shoe 10 through the shaft 121.

The configuration of the air supply device according to the illustratedembodiment of the present invention will be described in more detailwith reference to FIG. 11.

In accordance with this embodiment, the air supply device is configuredto supply air into the interior of the shoe 10 by arranging thefrictional roller 125 to be elastically in close contact with thecircumferential surface of a selected one of the wheels 12 freelyrotatably mounted to the outer sole of the shoe 10, and providing theair sucking means and air ventilation means at the hollow shaft torotate together with the frictional roller 125, and thus, to supplyambient air into a front portion of the interior of the shoe 10.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, shafts 13 are freely rotatably mounted tothe bracket 11 fixed to the outer sole of the shoe 10. The wheels 12 arefixedly mounted on the shafts 13, respectively, such that they rotatesimultaneously.

The fixed plate 115 has a flat plate shape, and is mounted to the lowersurface of the top plate portion of the bracket 11 by means of thefixing members 115 a The guide rods 116 are provided at the lowersurface of the fixed plate 115 while being mounted with the springs 118,respectively.

The moving plate 120 has an inverted-U-shaped structure, and iselastically mounted to the guide rods 116 of the fixed plate 115 suchthat the moving plate 120 is always downwardly urged away from the fixedplate 115 by the springs 118. The hollow shaft 121 is freely rotatablymounted to the lower portion of the moving plate 120. The frictionalroller 125 is fixedly mounted on a central portion of the hollow shaft121 such that the frictional roller 125 is in close contact with thecircumferential surface of the associated wheel 12.

A recess 126 is formed at one side of the frictional roller 125. The airsucking means is arranged on a portion of the shaft 121 positioned inthe recess 126 to suck ambient air in during rotation of the shaft 121.

The air sucking means comprises a casing 127 formed at a portion of thecircumferential surface of the shaft 121 positioned in the recess 126 ofthe frictional roller 125, and provided with an air inlet 128, and aguide plate 129 mounted to the shaft 121 in the recess 126 to guide aflow of air generated in accordance with rotation of the frictionalroller 125, and thus, the shaft 121, toward the casing 127.

When the wheels 12 are rotated in accordance with travel of the rollerblade, the frictional roller 125 and shaft 121 are simultaneouslyrotated, thereby causing ambient air to be naturally sucked into thecasing 127. Accordingly, the guide plate 129 may be dispensed with.

As shown in FIG. 13, the air ventilation means is arranged at one sideof the air sucking means so that the ambient air sucked into the casing127 is supplied into the interior of the shoe 10.

The air ventilation means comprises a through hole 122 formed at aportion of the shaft 121 to communicate with the casing 127, an airpassage 122 defined in the shaft 121 to communicate with the casing 127via the through hole 122, and a box-shaped connector 130 provided at oneend of the shaft 121, and connected, at one side wall thereof, with theair passage 123.

The air ventilation means further comprises an elongated tube 131connected to a top wall of the connector 130 while extending to a frontportion of the interior of the shoe 10 through the outer sole of theshoe 10 to supply, into the interior of the shoe 10, the air introducedinto the connector 130.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view showing a connecting structure forthe connector, shaft and elongated tube shown in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 14, seal members 132, which have a general structuresuch as an O-ring or oil seal, are fitted around the ends of the shaft121 and elongated tube 131 connected with the connector 130, while beingretained by support plates 133 mounted to the connector 130,respectively, to prevent leakage of air.

A cut-off valve 135 is mounted between the connector 130 and theelongated tube 131 or in the elongated tube 131 to forcibly cut off thesupply of ambient air into the shoe, if necessary.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an air supply device accordingto another embodiment of the present invention, which includes a hollowshaft, and a frictional roller and a casing mounted on the hollow shaftwhich are modified versions of those of FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 15, a frictional roller 225 is mounted on a centralportion of a hollow shaft 221, as in the case of FIG. 11. A casing 227,which has an air inlet 228, is mounted to one end of the shaft 221.

In this case, a through hole 222 is formed at a portion of the shaft221, to which the casing 227 is mounted. An air passage 223 extendsthroughout the shaft 221 to communicate with the casing 227 via thethrough hole 222.

Now, operation of the air supply device according to the above-describedembodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the user moves in a state of wearing the wheel-mounted shoe 10,that is, the roller blade or in-line skate of FIG. 1, to which the airsupply device having the above-described configuration is applied, theshafts mounted to the bracket 11 are rotated together with the wheels12. As a result, the frictional roller 125, which is in close contactwith the circumferential surface of the associated wheel 12, is rotatedtogether with the shaft 121.

Accordingly, ambient air is sucked into the casing 127 mounted on theshaft 121 in the recess 126 of the frictional roller 125 in accordancewith the rotating force of the casing 127 and an operation of the guideplate 129 to guide the flow of air, as shown in FIG. 12. The sucked airis then introduced into the connector 130 connected to one end of theshaft 121 via the through hole 122 and air passage 123 formed at theshaft 121.

Subsequently, the air introduced into the connector 130 is supplied intothe front portion of the interior of the shoe 10 via the elongated tube131 connected to the upper wall of the connector 130, as shown in FIG.13.

At this time, leakage of air is prevented by the seal members 132 fittedaround the ends of the shaft 121 and elongated tube 131 connected to theconnector 130, as shown in FIG. 14.

When it is desired to cut off introduction of air into the interior ofthe shoe 10, for example, in winter, this can be achieved by closing thecut-off valve 135 mounted in the elongated tube 131 or between theconnector 130 and the elongated duct 131.

It is to be noted that the guide plate 129 mounted to the shaft 121 toguide the flow of air and the cut-off valve 135 mounted in the elongatedtube 131 are not elements essentially required to implement the presentinvention. Even when these elements are dispensed with, the air suckedinto the casing 127 can be supplied into the interior of the shoe 10.

The introduction of air into the shoe 10 may be cut off without usingthe cut-off valve 135, by configuring the connector 130 to be movablealong the shaft 121, and thus, to be selectively disconnected from theair passage 123. In particular, the shaft 121 and elongated tube 131 maybe directly connected without using the connector 130.

Similarly, in the case in which the frictional roller 225 is mounted onthe central portion of the hollow shaft 221, and the casing 227 ismounted to one end of the shaft 221, ambient air is sucked into the airinlet 228 of the casing 227 in accordance with rotation of the shaft221, and is then supplied into the interior of the shoe 10 via thethrough hole 222 and air passage 223 of the shaft 221.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction withembodiments in which the present invention is applied to a generalroller blade or in-line skate, the air supply device of the presentinvention can be easily applied to a shoe in which wheels are mounted toa bracket fixed to the outer sole of the shoe, or a shoe in which wheelsare retractably mounted to the outer sole of the shoe. In such cases,the same function and effect as in the above-described case areobtained.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As apparent from the above description, the air supply device of thewheel-mounted shoe according to the present invention can supply ambientair into the interior of the shoe by continuously suck the ambient airin by use of the rotating force of the frictional roller interposedbetween adjacent ones of the wheels rotatably mounted to the bracket ofthe outer sole of the shoe, irrespective of the rotating direction ofthe wheels. Accordingly, the air supply device eliminatesuncomfortableness caused by sweat and odor generated from the user inthe interior of the shoe, to maintain the interior of the shoe in apleasant state, thereby helping the user's foot health.

In addition, the air supply device of the wheel-mounted shoe accordingto the present invention can be easily applied to a general roller bladeor in-line skate.

1. An air supply device of a wheel-mounted shoe comprising: a fixedplate mounted to a lower surface of a top plate portion of a bracketfixed to an outer sole of the wheel-mounted shoe by fixing members; ahousing coupled to the fixed plate such that the housing is verticallymovable while being elastically supported by an elastic member; africtional roller rotatably coupled to the housing by a shaft such thatthe frictional roller is in close contact with a circumferential surfaceof at least one of wheels rotatably mounted to the bracket; air suckingmeans to suck ambient air in when the frictional roller rotates; and airventilation means to supply the air sucked in by the air sucking meansinto the interior of the shoe.
 2. The air supply device according toclaim 1, wherein the fixed plate has a guide member formed at a lowersurface of the fixed plate, the guide member having a pair of legsdefining a recess therein so that the guide member is coupled with thehousing.
 3. The air supply device according to claim 2, wherein the legsof the guide member are provided with stoppers formed at respectivelower ends of the legs to prevent the housing coupled to the guidemember from being separated from the guide member.
 4. The air supplydevice according to claim 1, wherein a spring is interposed between thefixed plate and the housing.
 5. The air supply device according to claim4, wherein the housing has a flange formed at a peripheral edge of anupper end of the housing to prevent the housing from being separatedfrom the guide member in a state of being coupled with the guide member,and a spring receiving recess formed at an upper portion of the housingto receive the spring.
 6. The air supply device according to claim 1,wherein the housing has a roller receiving hole centrally formed at alower portion of the housing to receive the frictional roller such thatthe frictional roller is fitted around the shaft in the roller receivinghole.
 7. The air supply device according to claim 1, wherein the airsucking means is arranged at opposite sides of the lower portion of thehousing to suck ambient air in when the frictional roller rotates. 8.The air supply device according to claim 1, wherein the air suckingmeans comprises: two sets of blades mounted to opposite ends of theshaft, respectively; casings provided at the lower portion of thehousing to circumferentially surround respective sets of the blades; andcaps fitted around respective outer ends of the casings.
 9. The airsupply device according to claim 8, wherein an air outlet is formed at aportion of a circumferential wall of each casing to discharge air suckedinto the casing in accordance with rotation of the blades received inthe casing.
 10. The air supply device according to claim 8, wherein anair inlet is formed at a central portion of each cap to allow ambientair to be sucked into the interior of an associated one of the casingsin accordance with the rotation of the blades received in the associatedcasing.
 11. The air supply device according to claim 8, wherein the setsof the blades are mounted to respective ends of the shaft such that theblade sets rotate in opposite directions, respectively.
 12. The airsupply device according to claim 8, wherein the air ventilation meanscomprises: first connecting members respectively connected to the airoutlets of the casings provided at the lower portion of the housing; airtubes respectively connected to the first connecting members; a secondconnecting member connected to the air tubes to unify air flowsrespectively discharged from the air tubes; and an air supply tubeconnected to the second connecting member to communicate the secondconnecting member and the interior of the shoe, and thus, to supply theair discharged from the second connecting member into the interior ofthe shoe.
 13. The air supply device according to claim 12, wherein eachof the first connecting members has a cylindrical tube structure inwhich a central portion of the structure has a diameter smaller thanopposite ends of the structure.
 14. The air supply device according toclaim 12, wherein the second connecting member includes branched tubesforming one portion of the second connecting member to be connected withthe air tubes, respectively, and a unified tube forming the otherportion of the second connecting member to unify air flows respectivelydischarged from the air tubes and then to discharge the unified air intothe air supply tube.
 15. The air supply device according to claim 14,wherein a cut-off valve is mounted in the second connecting member suchthat the cut-off valve is hingable about a hinge to selectively open oneof the branched tubes while closing the other branched tube.
 16. The airsupply device according to claim 15, wherein the hinging operation ofthe cut-off valve about the hinge is achieved by air discharged from oneof the air tubes.
 17. The air supply device according to claim 15,wherein a stopper is provided at each branched tube to limit a hingingangle of the cut-off valve.
 18. The air supply device according to claim1, wherein the frictional roller is interposed between adjacent ones ofthe wheels rotatably mounted to the bracket.
 19. An air supply device ofa wheel-mounted shoe comprising: a fixed plate mounted to a lowersurface of a top plate portion of a bracket fixed to an outer sole ofthe wheel-mounted shoe by fixing members, and provided with a pair ofguide rods respectively mounted with springs; a moving plate elasticallymounted to the fixed plate in a state of being fitted around the guiderods such that the moving plate is vertically movable, the moving platebeing provided with a freely-rotatable hollow shaft mounted to a lowerportion of the moving plate; a frictional roller fixedly mounted on theshaft such that the frictional roller is in close contact with acircumferential surface of at least one of wheels rotatably mounted tothe bracket; air sucking means to suck ambient air in when thefrictional roller rotates; and air ventilation means to supply the airsucked in by the air sucking means into the interior of the shoe throughthe shaft.
 20. The air supply device according to claim 19, wherein theair sucking means comprises a casing formed at a portion of acircumferential surface of the shaft positioned in a recess formed atthe frictional roller, and provided with an air inlet.
 21. The airsupply device according to claim 19, wherein the air sucking meanscomprises a casing formed at one end of the shaft, and provided with anair inlet.
 22. The air supply device according to claim 19, wherein theair ventilation means comprises: a through hole formed at the shaft tocommunicate with the air sucking means; an air passage defined in theshaft to communicate with the air sucking means via the through hole; abox-shaped connector provided at one end of the shaft, and connectedwith the air passage at one side wall of the connector; and an elongatedtube connected to a top wall of the connector while extending to theinterior of the shoe through the outer sole of the shoe to supply, intothe interior of the shoe, air introduced into the connector.
 23. The airsupply device according to claim 22, wherein seal members are fittedaround an end of the shaft and an end of the elongated tube connectedwith the connector, while being retained by support plates mounted tothe connector, respectively, to prevent leakage of air.
 24. The airsupply device according to claim 23, wherein a cut-off valve is mountedbetween the connector and the elongated tube to forcibly cut off flow ofair.